The row over the
release of Mohanlal-starrer Mr. Fraud worsened on Wednesday when
associations of producers and distributors announced that no new films would be
released in Malayalam as the exhibitors refuse to screen the movie directed by
B. Unnikrishnan from May 8 onwards.

A combined meeting of
the producers and distributors’ associations held here issued an ultimatum to
the exhibitors that they should sign an agreement with the distributor of Mr.
Fraud ensuring that it will be released on May 8.

No releases

No Malayalam films will
be released from this date, if the exhibitors’ federation stuck to its stance
thatMr. Fraud will not be screened.

However, Liberty
Basheer, president of the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation, the apex body of
‘A’ class theatres in the State, made it clear that there was no change in the
earlier decision that cinemas would not screen Mr. Fraud.

Mr. Basheer had held
Mr. Unnikrishnan responsible for the decision by members of Association of
Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala
(FEFKA) to stay away from the inauguration of the headquarters building of the
exhibitors’ federation here.

Efforts by the Kerala
Film Chamber of Commerce to resolve the differences also failed, with warring
factions refusing to budge from their positions.

Support to FEFKA

Interestingly, the Cine
Exhibitors Association, the combine of ‘B’ and ‘C’ class theatres, extended its
support to the Film Employees Federation of Kerala stating that the decision by
the exhibitors’ federation not to screen Mr. Fraud was unacceptable.

Cinemas affiliated to
the association would release the movie as per the original schedule. We think
like that actually this is a personal problem of Liberty Basheer.

As now to save Malayalam
films and industry , boycott Liberty Basheer kind of persons who makes problems
in Malayalam film industry.